Universal Service Fund

2007

Universal Service Charge which is set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)is a federal charge. This charge helps to keep phone service rates affordable to all Americans regardless of where they live. Using funds generated by this charge the federal government has established national programs which aid schools, libraries, rural health care providers, low-income subscribers and subscribers located in high-cost rural areas with the provision of telecommunications services. Every telecom service provider contributes to the support of these universal service programs with a portion of the funds generated being distributed back to qualified carriers to keep service rates in high-cost rural areas at or near the national average.

Dubois Telephone Exchange, Inc. provides quality local access services at reasonable rates to our rural Wyoming and Colorado customers. DTE also provides a full range of custom calling features, local dial up access to the Internet, interstate and intrastate equal access and advanced communications services including custom marketing/advertising consultation services and Internet site development. Lifeline service discounts are available to qualified customers. FCC Lifeline credit is $10.00 per month and the Wyoming Telephone Assistance is $3.50 per month. Qualification forms can be picked up at the DTE business office during normal working hours.

*Fremont County customers pay a 911 emergency service charge of $0.50 per access line.


If you have any questions, please call DTE at 455-2341 for the Dubois/Crowheart Exchange or 383-2150 for our Baggs service areas. You may also E-mail DTE at dte@dteworld.net.

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Telephone Assistance Program
The FCC Lifeline discount of $10.00 and the Wyoming Telephone Assistance Program discount of $3.50 provide reduced phone bills for customers who are receiving benefits from one or more of the following programs: Medicaid, Food Stamps, Child Care, POWER (Personal Opportunities with Employment Responsibilities), LIEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program), and minimum medical.

If you are participating in any of the programs listed, you are eligible for monthly telephone assistance of $13.50. DTE simply needs a copy of proof of the program from which you are receiving benefits. You can print out a copy of the application form here.

PRINT APPLICATION [Requires ]

For more information regarding these programs, contact DTE.
For Baggs-Dixon-Savery, call 383-2150. For Dubois-Crowheart, call 455-2341.
If you are calling from out of area, call 1-800-877-7699.

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Wind River Indian Reservation Customers

Individuals who live on a federally recognized reservation or Alaskan Native lands may be eligible for a program that provides local telephone service for as low as $1.00 a month. The enhanced tribal Lifeline program was implemented by the Federal Communications Commission and is available through local telephone companies. In addition to the lower monthly telephone service charges available through the Lifeline program, eligible individuals can also save up to $100 on the cost of getting new phone service installed through the Link Up program.

In order to qualify for tribal Lifeline benefits an individual must:

1. be a resident of a federally recognized reservation or Alaskan Native lands

   and

2. receive assistance from one of the following programs:
   
   • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
   • Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
   • Head Start Programs (income eligible)
   • National School Lunch Program (eligible for free meals)
   • Medicaid
   • Food stamps
   • Supplemental Security Income
   • Federal public housing assistance
   • Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
   • Income at or below 135% of the Federally Recognized Poverty Guidelines

If you are participating in any of the programs listed, you are eligible for monthly telephone assistance. DTE simply needs a copy of proof of the program from which you are receiving benefits. You can print out a copy of the application form here.

PRINT APPLICATION [Requires ]

For more information regarding these programs, contact DTE.
For Dubois/Crowheart, call 455-2341.
If you are calling from out of area, call 1-800-877-7699.